<p>$245,000 is a big number, but divided by 18 years is $13,611 per year. Of course, costs to raise a kid are not level each year.</p>
<p>Still, $13,611 per year is larger than the assumed room+board+personal+transportation costs of a commuter college student living with parents. Colleges listing a commuter budget typically have $4,000 to $5,000 for “room and board” (additional food and utilities at the parents’ house) and about $3,000 for personal and transportation, for a total of $7,000 to $8,000.</p>
<p>Of course, if the student attends private K-12 schools, the cost becomes significantly higher.</p>